CHAPTER 37: The Council of the Elves
When Harry reappeared in the dungeons his heart was racing. He had known what he was getting himself into but nothing could prepare you for it. He had just risked his life to make a dangerous man angry. And Sirius thought he took risks. He took off the robes and changed back into his own clothes. He walked back to the Gryffindor Common room and went to bed, but there was no way he was going to get any sleep tonight.
The next morning Harry saw Ginny walking out of the portrait hole and ran to catch up with her. "I thought we'd go back and talk with the Centaurs today, you know to see if they'll let Hagrid back in to meet with Grawp." Ginny agreed, but still didn't really seem herself. They ate breakfast in silence, Harry tried to think of something that would ease Ginny's nerves but nothing he said worked. She wouldn't even make eye contact with him, when he tried she would just look away.
"Harry, I need to talk to you." She sounded strained as if she were losing her voice.
"Is everything ok?" She just signaled for him to follow her. When they got back into Gryffindor Tower she looked around as if she were lost. She walked up the staircase to the boys dormitory. The only person still in there was Seamus, who was about to go down to breakfast anyway.
"I'll be out of your way then." He said, grinning at Harry. Harry turned and watched him close the door before looking back at Ginny, her wand was pointing at him. For the first time he looked into her eyes, they were blood red, just like Voldemort's.
"So nice of you to be trusting, Potter." She spat.
"Voldemort, release her now!" Ginny laughed.
"After that stunt you pulled last night, I don't think so. I have a special connection with Ginny here, my diary left a mark on her. It seems that you can tune me out, she couldn't though." Harry took a step forward. "Uh-uh, bad Potter. We wouldn't want anyone to come in here and make any assumptions would we?" Harry looked around to find something that he could use, nothing was in reach. He considered disapparating but he wouldn't leave Ginny possessed like that.
"I'm warning you, Riddle. Let her go."
"Never use that name again!" She shrieked. With every word she said she sounded more like Voldemort. "Avada Kedavra!" Harry dove behind the bed for cover, the curse went straight past him and blew the door away.
"What the hell is going on up there?" A voice yelled. Harry peered around the bed and another green jet hit the floor next to him. He sent a stunner over the top of the bed but without being able to look his aim was off. Then Harry heard the voice of Professor McGonagall.
"Ginny Weasley, what do you think you're doing?"
"Professor, NO!" He yelled as Ginny sent a jet of green light at the head of Gryffindor house. It struck her in the chest, her lifeless body slumping to the floor. Harry cursed under his breath as he fired another stunner blindly. "Dumbledore will be here any second!"
"Yes, he will won't he. It doesn't matter, if you won't come out and play I'm just going to kill your little girlfriend here."
"NO!" He yelled jumping up. Another green jet forced him to dive for cover once again.
"Goodbye, Potter." Harry looked up just in time to see Ginny standing atop the window sill. He ran towards her but she took a step out and fell. Harry apparated and grabbed hold of her as they began the long fall from the top of the tower. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I love you." Harry could barely see because of the tears in his eyes and the wind whipping at his face. He tried to dissaparate but couldn't focus. He was falling too fast. He closed his eyes and concentrated, but he heard a sickening crack and once again he was in the air, only this time he was rising. Harry opened his eyes and realized that he had bounced, but Ginny was no longer in his arms. He bounced uncontrollably towards the forbidden forest, but passed out long before his body reached the trees.
"Harry Potter, you impress me." Harry couldn't see anything clearly, everything was a swirl of earthy colors. "Wake up, Harry." Harry felt a warm hand on his head and the world began to right itself. He realized that he was laying on his back and staring up through a clearing in the trees. He sat up and rubbed his temples.
"Where am I?"
"You are in a part of the forbidden forest never seen before by human eyes." Harry looked around and saw a very tall man in a white silk robe. He had long blonde hair and gentle blue eyes. When he turned his head to nod at a companion Harry saw pointy ears. He had been recovered by the elves. "You took quite a fall." The elf said simply. Harry shook his head.
"I jumped." Everything came rushing back to him. "GINNY? What happened to her?" The elf's eyes looked sad. "No…" He said weakly, already knowing the answer.
"Your friend hit the ground despite your hold on her. You bounced and we recovered you, she did not. I posted a scout at the edge of the forest to watch and she was taken away soon after. There was nothing you could have done." Harry tried to hold back the tears but he couldn't do it. He saw the elf bend over him and put his hand over his eyes. "Sleep now, we will talk later." Harry tried to stay awake but the sleep came and he passed out.
"Are you feeling better, Harry?" Harry rubbed his eyes and looked around. He was in the same place he had been earlier and the same elf was sitting next to him. Harry wasn't sure how to respond. He felt a little better but was having trouble with what had just happened. As if sensing his feelings the elf pointed out, "It is better that you do not think about such things right now. We have business to conduct, hopefully that will take your mind off the events at the school. After it is concluded then we will escort you to the castle."
"Ok, please don't hold it against me if I seem distant though." The elf smiled at this.
"Do not be afraid, we understand. My name is Telop, I am something of a grandfather to the council. They trust my judgement but they all seem to think I am to parental." The elf smiled and his eyes twinkled at him. Harry was reminded of the first time he had spoken with Dumbledore. "My nephew is the head of the council, I will take you to them now. Be warned, though, they are warriors and do not fear death."
"Neither do I, I fear for my friends." The elf looked back down at him, the twinkle in his eyes gone.
"That is something they will understand. They know what happened at the castle and they will go easy on you, I'm sure." Telop helped him up and led him to another clearing where more elves in white silk robes awaited. Some had long blonde hair, others had long black hair. They all had very soft looks on there faces, however. "May I present to you, Harry Potter." The old elf bowed and extended a hand towards Harry. The young elf in the middle motioned him forward.
"My name is Talisian, Harry Potter, and we have much to discuss." He motioned towards an empty seat across from the eight elves. Harry sat down.
"It is nice to finally meet you, Talisian." The elf raised an eyebrow.
"Finally?"
"I assume it was you and your people watching me when I traveled into the forest before." The elves smiled and looked at each other.
"Yes, we assigned someone to watch you. How did you hear him?"
"I didn't, I felt him watching me."
"You impress me, Harry."
"I seem to be doing that a lot lately…" Harry said distantly. The elf frowned.
"I understand that you do not fear death, Harry. It is in your eyes. I also see how hurt you are that the monster would attack your girlfriend to get to you. For that I offer my condolences." Harry nodded.
"Thank you, Talisian. I would appreciate it if we keep with the business at hand though. Not to be rude but I would like to get back to the castle as soon as I can to see-" Harry's voice broke and he fought back tears. The elf spoke quickly.
"I quite understand, Harry. Let us get on with business. The Centaurs will surely join you in your plight against Voldemort. It is just a matter of time before they tell you. We have been quite impressed that you were able to muster so much support so quickly. I would like to offer you our support in the upcoming war." Harry looked up in surprise. He hadn't expected it to be that easy.
"I appreciate your offer, Talisian. I hope you don't mind the question, but what is your…strength?" Talisian smiled.
"You don't seem nearly as eloquent in person." He laughed briefly but realized why his joke hadn't gone over well with his new acquaintance. "We are best in the forest where very few humans can react to us. Our scouts are the best, one reason I offer my help to you is because you were somehow able to sense my men. We are also trained in combat. We have skilled archers and cavalry, we can also fight on foot. We can fill whatever role you need us for. We are not entirely without magic either, however. You have experienced some of our magic, we do not wave a wand but we cannot cast any spells. Our magic enhances our ability to fight."
"But-I thought that I could move like that because-" The elf shook his head.
"It has nothing to do with the ability which you possess. Moving through magical barriers and moving faster, quieter, and with more strength and energy are very different things. You can cast wandless magic, this is one of those manifestations." Harry looked puzzled and had no idea how to respond.
"I accept your offer, if there is anything that I can do for you I'm sure you can figure out some way to get in touch with me. Before I make any decisions I will make sure you are consulted."
"Thank you. Telop will escort you to the edge of the forest, if ever you wish to speak with us than walk into the forest and call his name. Someone will bring you to us. Before you go, however, I wish that you would honor us by accepting this gift. These two daggers are compatible with our magic, in time you will learn to direct their flight." At first Harry didn't understand, but when he saw the thin, sharp blade that ran straight into the black handle. The knife wasn't for fighting, it was for throwing. "If you wear the knives in the traditional elf fashion than this scabbard will be of some use to you. While the knives are sheathed they will be completely undetectable by magical means, only if someone touches them will they know it is there." Harry thanked him and walked with Telop until the castle came into view.
"This is where I leave you. Don't hesitate to get in contact with me. Good luck, Harry."